Three suburban Catholic priests have been suspended following an April 11 incident among priests and seminarians at a Hamburg rectory. A statement from the diocese explaining the incident says there was sexual harassment.
According to the press release, there was a “social gathering of seminarians and priests” that evening at the presbytery of Sts. Peter and Paul Church. At one point, “inappropriate, inappropriate and insensitive conversations” took place. Several students at Christ the King Seminary found the conversation “disturbing and offensive”, so they reported it to the leaders of the seminary.
The diocesan statement says the incident did not include physical sexual abuse of a minor or adult.
“Seminarians in attendance came forward to report that they were uncomfortable with what they considered inappropriate conversation and stories shared by some of the priests in attendance,” a statement from Christ the King Seminary said. . “The Reverend John M. Staak, OMI, interim president and rector of Christ the King, said seminarians followed established protocol for raising concerns with seminary officials.”
“Our primary mission is the education of our students and the formation of our future priests, deacons and pastoral ministers,” Staak said. “I am pleased that seminarians have come forward to express their concerns about the inappropriate, inappropriate and insensitive conversations that have taken place.”
The seminarians received VIRTUS sexual abuse training and knew how to report the incident to seminary officials. Created by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group, VIRTUS identifies best practices “to help prevent wrongdoing and correct acts by religious organizations,” according to its website.
There was an immediate investigation into the April incident and a report to Bishop Richard Malone and other diocesan officials.
“One of the two officials designated by the seminary to investigate the incidents, Michael Sherry, academic dean of Christ the King seminary and former law enforcement official, promptly conducted a thorough internal investigation,” said Christ the King. King. “Sherry provided his findings to Father Staak and the Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Buffalo and Chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees.”
“The Diocese of Buffalo is grateful that seminarians followed proper protocol and that the seminary responded appropriately by immediately investigating and reporting findings to Bishop Richard J. Malone and other diocesan officials, including the Office of professional liability,” the diocese said.
As a result, the bishop ordered suspensions for three priests: Sts. Pierre and Paul Pastor Fr. Arthur Mattulke and Parish Vicar Fr. Patrick O’Keefe and Our Mother of Good Counsel Pastor Fr. Robert Orlowski. Saying it was a matter of responsibility, the bishop also ordered psychological evaluations of the three and possible treatment, retraining in sexual harassment policies and individual retreats.
Based on this, there may be future action.